WVR Announces Gomi-Ludwig, Two More Bouts

World Victory Road has announced the addition of three more bouts for it’s inaugural event entitled “Sengoku” on March 5th at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.

The biggest one has to be a lightweight battle between former PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi and one-time K-1 kickboxing standout Duane “Bang” Ludwig.

Gomi has not fought since he took on Nick Diaz at PRIDE 33 in February of last year. Diaz submitted Gomi with a gogoplata in an exciting fight but the decision was later overturned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after it was found that Diaz had tested positive for marijuana at the conclusion of the event.

“The Fireball Kid” had been courted by multiple organizations since PRIDE was purchased by Zuffa last March, including the UFC. Speculation had him headed over to K-1 Hero’s at one point but a deal between the two sides never came to fruition.

Ludwig was originally slated to take on Steve Berger at the upcoming “Strikeforce at the Dome” event later this month but MMA Weekly reports that Ludwig will pull out of that fight.

Additional bouts that were announced include current BodogFight welterweight title holder Nick Thompson going up against Fabricio Monteiro and Pancrase veteran Ryo Kawamura taking on Antonio Neto. Also mentioned at today’s press conference was the signing of legendary PRIDE heavyweight Kazuyuki Fujita, who will take on a yet to be announced opponent at the show.